FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

** Hollywood Notables & Sports Celebrities To Attend **

(WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 19, 2002) Tony Bennett, legendary singer, will perform at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 27th Anniversary Awards Gala, Saturday evening, October 26 at the Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, DC. The gala will begin with a cocktail reception at 6 PM followed by a 7 PM dinner.

Robert De Niro and Sophia Loren will be inducted into the NIAF’s Italian American Hall of Fame for their work in the entertainment industry. Thomas (Tommy) D. Mottola, chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., will receive a NIAF Special Achievement Award in the Music Industry.

Celebrities attending the event include: Italian fashion designer, Giorgio Armani; actors Michael Badalucco of “The Practice;” Ruth Buzzi of “Laugh In;” Robert Davi; Robert Loggia and Doris Roberts of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

Bruce Arena, US World soccer coach; Yogi Berra, baseball legend; Brian Boitano, Olympic gold medalist; Joe Gibbs, NASCAR team owner; Tommy Lasorda, Dodger icon; Phil Rizzuto, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Bruno Sammartino, former World Champion wrestler, will also join the celebrities and NIAF honorees at the dinner. They will be joined by Governor Tom Ridge, Homeland Security advisor, and Hon. Tommy Thompson, secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

Business leaders to be honored at this year’s gala include Christina Johnson, president & CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Robert Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO of The Home Depot. They will receive the Foundation’s Special Achievement Awards in Business. Paul Chiapparone, vice chairman of Electronic Data Systems (EDS), will receive the NIAF’s Special Achievement Award for Humanitarian Service.

CNBC Anchor Ron Insana is this year’s master of ceremonies. Dick Grasso, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) chairman and NIAF vice chairman, is the Year 2002 dinner chairman.

During the NIAF’s 27th Anniversary Awards Gala with 3,000 guests in attendance, the Foundation will announce the Dean Martin Scholarship in Music. Deana Martin, daughter of the famed crooner, will be on hand for the announcement. The NIAF awards gala dinner is one of the premier annual events in Washington, DC.

Proceeds from the event benefit the NIAF Scholarship and Education Programs.